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Update Office Closure - 2nd March

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Created on Friday, 02 March 2018 08:00

Severe Weather Office Closure - Friday 3rd March

As a result of the ongoing severe weather and risk it presents to our clients and staff we have decided to close our office until 9am Monday 5th March. Once again we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the safety of our staff and clients remains our priority.

Buying and Selling Park Homes

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Created on Thursday, 15 February 2018 09:58

Caution When Buying and Selling Park Homes

It is often said on Park Home sales and purchases that “you do not need a Solicitor”.

Of course, it’s the choice of the seller or buyer whether to take legal advice, but a recent case gives a good example of the sense in using an experienced solicitor who has expertise in this specialist area of the Law.

In the case in question, the buyer, Miss Elleray, was left paying £14,500 more than she thought she should. The terms of the purchase and the forms just had not been thought through and, as a result, the dispute was whether what Miss Elleray agreed to pay was £145,000 all in (as she argued) or £145,000 plus £14,500 commission to the site owner, namely £159,500 in total.

The Tribunal, on the facts and despite how the forms were completed, decided it was the higher figure and Miss Elleray’s appeal failed. She was left disappointed as were the sellers who had to endure the worry and expense of two hearings to sort it out.

The Tribunal dealing with Miss Elleray’s purchase commented that neither the estate agents nor the licensed conveyancers who acted had a proper understanding of Park Home law.

Through Tim Selley, Partner, Crosse and Crosse Solicitors LLP handles Park Home purchases and sales and advice on Park Home disputes all over the country. Tim comments: “this case is an example of how things can go wrong if the parties do not take proper advice from a specialist.”

If you would like more information or would like to contact Tim please call 01392 678694 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Legal Aid Rules Relaxed to Help Victims of Domestic Abuse

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Created on Friday, 12 January 2018 09:00

Welcome Changes for Victims of Domestic Abuse

As more statistics are released to highlight further the effect of the legal aid cuts in April 2013 on the number of people having to represent themselves in Court in family cases, particularly people who are victims of abuse and have to face their perpetrators in Court, there is some relief on the horizon as a result of the Government’s relaxation of the legal aid evidence requirements which came into effect on Monday 08 January 2018.

When the rules were first introduced, there was a two year time limit on the evidence of domestic abuse that would be accepted, and that was extended to five years in May 2016 following a Court of Appeal ruling that this requirement was unlawful. The Government have now decided to remove the time limit altogether, which lends weight to the argument that has repeatedly been made by many victims’ groups that this time limit was arbitrary and only had the effect of penalizing those victims of domestic abuse who fell foul of it.

The categories of acceptable evidence of domestic abuse have now been widened as well, to include statements from domestic violence support organizations and housing officers, who are often more closely involved with victims of abuse than the police, social services or medical professionals who are able to provide relevant evidence already.

Whilst it is still being questioned by some whether these changes go far enough, it is hoped that they will make it easier for victims of abuse to provide the evidence needed to be able to access legal aid to assist them with their legal disputes.